ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. recently distributed over P900 million worth of agricultural projects to farmers, fisherfolk, and organized groups in Western Visayas.

Among the programs rolled out was the distribution of P5,000 to each of the 392 farmers who were selected to benefit from the Department of Agriculture’s Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program.

The recipients of the unconditional cash assistance are farmers listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). Theycultivate two hectares or less of rice land. The aid unded by the excess tariff collection from rice importations in 2021 and 2022.

DA further stated that this serves as a means to enhance the food distribution system in the country by promoting reliable and efficient food commodity suppliers, increasing the number of FCAs participating in Kadiwa selling activities, and fostering partnerships with private sectors and institutional buyers.

The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) distributed P11,246,460 worth of push-type transplanters, riding-type transplanters, rice combine harvesters, and single pass rice mills to farmers’ cooperatives under the Rice Competitiveness  Enhancement Fund (RCEF) program.

Laurel, who presided over the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Board Meeting, shared that the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project (JRMP) Stage II will significantly contribute to increasing rice harvests in the area.

He said that the irrigation water supply will be sufficient for an additional 9,500 hectares of irrigable areas throughout the year.

“This is the first large-scale water reservoir to be constructed in Visayas and Mindanao. At ito po ang kailangan natin para ma maximize ang potential ng Western Visayas in rice production. Hindi ko po isinantabi ang potential nitong rehiyon to contribute more for rice sufficiency of our country. At talagang tututukan po namin kasama kayong mga magsasaka,” he added.

Also part of Laurel’s visit to Iloilo City included technical briefings on the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program, El Niño updates, and the Philippine Crop Insurance Program packages. (AAL/AGP/PIA 6)